Yosemite National Park holds a special place in our hearts. It just so happens to be the closest national park to our hometown, so we’ve been visiting this incredible public land for years! We have hiked, camped, snowshoed and backpacked in Yosemite. There is so much to see, do and hike that I think you could spend a lifetime discovering something new at Yosemite. (It also makes it really hard to write a condensed, succinct guide on this park. ?) If you’re thinking of visiting Yosemite, you won’t regret it!
- About Yosemite National Park
- Where is Yosemite National Park, and What Entrance Should I take?
- Best Time of the Year to Visit
- Yosemite’s Visitor Centers
- Where to Stay
- Getting WiFi or Cell Service within Yosemite National Park
- What to Do in the Park
- Where to Eat in Yosemite
- What to Expect if Traveling with a Pet
- Final Things to Consider
Additionally, we have two more resources for you! The best sights of Yosemite, and the best family-friendly hikes.
About Yosemite National Park
Federally protected in 1864 and established as a national park on October 1, 1890, America’s third national park is one of America’s most iconic wonders. Seriously — prepare to have your mind blown by this majestic, breathtaking landscape. There’s no shortage of beautiful vistas, flowing waterfalls and rivers, granite cathedrals and domes, sequoia groves, stunning backcountry, ample wildlife and rich history within 750,000 acres of this protected land. On average, more than 4.3 million people from around the globe visit Yosemite every year!
Where is Yosemite National Park, and What Entrance Should I Take?
Nestled within the Sierra Nevada, Yosemite National Park is located in central California, approximately 5-7 hours from Los Angeles and 4 hours from San Francisco. There are five entrances the park, and the routes to each offers unique sights and stops along the way. Four of Yosemite’s entrances — Hetch Hetchy (Highway 120), Big Oak Flat (also 120), Arch Rock (Highway 140) and South (Highway 41) are on the west side of the park. Tioga Pass, the fifth entrance, is along the Eastern Sierras (Highway 120). The best entrance will depend on the time of the year (due to road closures) and where you’re coming from, so be sure to plan your route in advance. (Keep in mind that cell service can be spotty along the route AND in the park. You can download Google maps to reference offline!)
As you may have heard, Yosemite National Park now requires reservations to enter the park, at least through Sept. 30, 2021. While most folks might gripe about this, we found that our last visit was WAY less crowded than previous years. If you’re entering Yosemite National Park in a vehicle, here are the following ways you can do so (with links!):
- Day-use reservation (valid for three consecutive days for unlimited re-entries)
- A Yosemite National Park campground reservation (more info on this down below)
- A hotel reservation at Curry Village, Housekeeping Camp, Yosemite Valley Lodge, The Ahwahnee, or the Wawona Hotel
- Private lodging or vacation rental reservation in Wawona, Yosemite West, or Foresta (I should note that reservations for lodging or vacation rentals outside of Yosemite’s boundaries do not provide access to Yosemite.)
- Yosemite wilderness permit
- Yosemite Half Dome permit
- Commercial use authorization
At any of the aforementioned entrances, you can buy a park pass (or pay your entrance fees). The cost to enter by vehicle is $35, which allows you seven days of access to the park. Because we visit so many national parks in one year, we buy an annual national park pass every year for $80. Within 3-4 park visits it is totally paid for!
Best Time of the Year to Visit
Yosemite National Park is open year-round, and trust me, it’s worth seeing this beautiful place during each season! I personally love Yosemite in the winter because it transforms into a spectacular winter wonderland. There are WAY less people, but many of the roads may be closed depending on the weather conditions (bring chains!). The high season is in the summer, when most people are on school breaks and soaking in family vacations. Be prepared for traffic jams and crowded trails! If you’re looking to see abundant waterfalls and wildflowers, book your trip for the Spring. And with most national parks, Fall is always a great time of the year to visit! You can also visit this page to see up-to-date road closures and weather.
I should note that the Eastern Sierras can bring some wild weather — you might have snow one minute, then sunshine the next. I remember the very first hike Steven and I did in Yosemite, years ago. It was hot in the Central Valley and coming into Yosemite, so we had on shorts and tees, with one thin base layer wrapped around our waists. Soon into the trail, some ominous clouds rolled in and the next thing we knew, it was a torrential down pour! We literally ran down the trail as we got pecked with hail along the way. Don’t be like us! Be prepared. For more information on what to pack for a day hike, check out our list of 12 essentials!
Yosemite’s Visitor Centers
Yosemite National Park has four visitor centers. We always prefer to stop at a visitor’s center first before we do any exploring. Why? The park rangers can give you some age-appropriate hike recommendations and provide details on any road conditions or weather considerations. You can also pick up Junior Ranger booklets for your kiddos here for $3.50 (plus tax). Please keep in mind that many of these may be closed or modified for Summer 2021.
The Valley Visitor Center is located in Yosemite Valley and is the largest and most extensive. Here you can talk to rangers, pick up a physical map and buy souvenirs year-round.
Only open in the summer, the Tuolumne Meadows Visitor Center has geology, natural history and ecology exhibits.
The Big Oak Flat Information Station is a good stop to chat with rangers or pick up a wilderness permit. Books and maps are also available in this summer-only station.
Near the Wawona Hotel and the Pioneer Yosemite History Center, the Wawona Information Station is open during the summer and has info on park activities and interpretive programs. It also has a small selection of books and maps, as well as wilderness permits.
Finally, the Wilderness Center in Yosemite Valley is a great place to get backpacking permits, bear canister rentals, backpacking gear rentals, maps and guidebooks.
Where to Stay In or Around Yosemite National Park
Campgrounds and Lodging in the Park
There are 13 campgrounds located within the park, with six of these being first-come, first-served and the other seven requiring advanced reservations. As I mentioned earlier, Yosemite is operating on a reservation system in 2021, so this means that they’ve also significantly reduced the campground capacities. The campgrounds that are currently operating are Upper Pines, Lower Pines, North Pines, Camp 4, Wawona Campground, Bridalveil Creek Campground, or Tuolumne Meadows Campground.
It can be difficult to get a campground reservation inside the park because there is so much demand. For your best chance of getting a campsite, start the first few steps of the reservation process at www.recreation.gov before 7am PST. Available campsites are released online at 9am PST sharp! Camp 4 also operates on a lottery system one day in advance. Here’s more info about this tent-only campground, as well as some general info about all of the campgrounds, including pricing and amenities.
Not looking to camp? There are several other options available to you within the park, from canvas tent cabins to luxurious rooms at one of the hotels. Each of these locations offer something a bit different, depending on what you’re looking for. The most notable is The Ahwahnee, built in the 1920s and easily the most upscale and iconic of all of the choices. Curry Village offers a variety of choices, from heated or unheated canvas tents, simple little cabins with a bathroom, to rustic motel rooms. (We’ve stayed at the cabins at Curry Village in the past, which are too cute!) Yosemite Valley Lodge is a good choice for families or large groups, and even boasts a Starbucks! Finally, the Victorian-era Wawona Hotel is located on the Southeast side of the park and is considered a National Historic Landmark. Finally, the Housekeeping Camp is an option for those who enjoy camping but don’t have the right gear.
Additionally, there is private lodging or vacation rentals in Wawona, Yosemite West, or Foresta. While this lodging is nice, these options tend to be on the pricey side.
Campgrounds and Lodging Outside of the Park
An easier option for visiting Yosemite National Park is staying just outside of the park boundaries. This is where you’ll need your day pass reservation. We love staying at Paradise Shores RV Camp in Bridgeport, CA. You can camp in a tent, your RV, trailer or rent a fully-furnished trailer on site. While it’s 40 miles from the Tioga entrance, the drive is beautiful and provides a view at the unique terrain of the Eastern Sierras. For more campground recommendations outside of Yosemite, check out this great resource.
You can find additional lodging options — cabins, condos and hotels — in the towns adjacent to the park entrances. Mariposa, Fish Camp, Bass Lake, Groveland and Lee Vining offer plenty of choices!
Getting WiFi or Cell Service within Yosemite National Park
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again — cell service is a rarity within any national park, not to mention Yosemite. However, you can find Internet access if you’re a registered overnight guest at The Ahwahnee, Yosemite Valley Lodge, Curry Village or Wawona Hotel. There are also computers with Internet access and Wi-Fi at the small Mariposa County library branch in Yosemite Valley, and you can also access free Wi-Fi at Degnan’s Kitchen. We had good luck with Verizon at the General Market parking lot in Yosemite Valley!
What to Do in Yosemite National Park
Yosemite has something to offer for everyone, whether you’re outdoorsy or just like pretty views. There are natural wonders like El Capitan, Yosemite Falls and Half Dome. There are epic hikes like the John Muir Trail and Mist Trail, as well as nature walks through sequoia groves or climbing any of the many granite faces within the park. There is SO much to do and see in Yosemite that it requires it’s own blog post! Stay tuned for our upcoming post on our favorite hiking trails. ?
Where to Eat in Yosemite
In my opinion, the best food you can eat within the park is anything you bring yourself! However, I know that many folks like to keep it simple, so here are a few recommendations on where to get your grub on.
Curry Village — This area has quite a few options, depending on the time of year. We really enjoy the pizza at the indoor Curry Village pavilion in the winter, or you can eat pizza or salad outdoors at the Curry Village Pizza Patio and Bar in the warmer months. There are grilled burgers, sandwiches and more at the Village Grill or Meadow Grill.
Yosemite Valley — The Loft at Degnan’s has everything from rice bowls and pizza, to salads and BBQ. Degnan’s Bakery has a la carte options like sandwiches and breakfast items. The nearby Village Store has a decent grocery selection, including ready-to-go meals.
Yosemite Valley Lodge — You can find a year-round food court at the Base Camp Eatery for breakfast, lunch and dinner, or cocktails and appetizers at the Mountain Room Lodge (5-9pm daily).
The Ahwahnee — If you’re seeking something a bit more upscale (aka pricey), check out this hotel. It’s open year-round for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Keep in mind that there are attire requirements for dinner. There’s also the nearby Ahwahnee Bar in the evenings when cocktail hour calls.
Wawona Hotel — There are American breakfast, lunch and dinner options at this Victorian-style hotel.
Tuolumne Meadows Lodge — Reservations are required for family-style dinners at this centralized tent.
Tuolumne Meadows Grill — You can find quick meals like chili, burgers or hot dogs at this spot, which is nearby popular trails.
Food Markets & Gas Stations — If you’re in need of snacks or drinks, there are stops in El Portal, Crane Flat and Wawona.
Please note that some of these may be closed seasonally or temporarily. For the most up-to-date info, visit the NPS website.
What to Expect if Traveling with a Pet
Let me just say this now — it’s SO hard to visit Yosemite with a pet. Our beloved canines and felines aren’t allowed on trails, in the wilderness or backcountry, or in the lodges as they can disturb the wildlife or ecosystem. It makes it really difficult to explore Yosemite’s trails — and we’ve seen people get busted by rangers who patrol these trails. Pets are allowed on fully-paved roads, sidewalks and bicycle paths (unless there is a sign prohibiting pets), as well as all campgrounds except Camp 4. Your animal must be on a leash at all times, and said leash must be no longer than 6ft. As a full-time traveling family, there aren’t many options for us with our Ruby, but if you have the ability, get a petsitter or board your pet. Your national park visit will be so much better without having to worry about leaving your pet in your vehicle!
Final Things to Consider
There are a few final items to take into consideration before your visit.
- While there are over 750 miles of spectacular trails to hike in Yosemite, there is a LOT of driving within the park. Unless you’re planning a week-long trip with time to explore, don’t be surprised if you’re in the car for a lot of your visit. And with the amount of people who visit this dedicated land daily, parking can be a challenge. Get an early start — or opt for some of the lesser-known trails. There’s so much to do and see! (I should note that there are usually shuttles that run throughout Yosemite, which eases this burden, however these are not running in 2021.
- If you plan on hiking, especially in the backcountry, make sure to download the AllTrails app. The premium version allows you to download offline trail maps, and when using the navigation feature, it will alert you if you go off trail. You can also keep friends and family informed with Lifeline, a GPS alert system.
- Yosemite National Park also has an app that you can download before you arrive. It offers info on trails, weather conditions, park tours and alerts.
- Oh yeah — bears. There are hundreds of black bears that call Yosemite home, so it’s imperative to take precautions. This includes using a bear canister or the bear lockers provided at most of the campgrounds and trailhead parking lots. Because there’s a lot to learn on this topic, I recommend reading this resource!
Yosemite is an iconic, majestic place that will leave you breathless. I hope you found our guide on Yosemite National Park helpful! Stay tuned for our sights and trail recommendations.
